Three hours from Torino, Italy lies a popular Italian vacation spot nicknamed Nice la Belle meaning ‘Nice the Beautiful.’ See 40 pictures of Nice, France that show why Italians adore visiting this French Rivera fave year round.

Approaching Nice, France from the A6 highway it’s clear why Italians flock to the French Riviera. It’s stunning! Steep green cliffs dotted with brightly colored homes cascade into azure waters. Us Italians feel right at home in Nice. But why if Nice is in France? During our most recent trip to Nice, I learned why the deep-seated love Italians profess for Nice, is more than skin deep.

What follows is a quick story of how one power “House” shuffling between France and Italy impacted the culture of Nice. 40 vivid azure pictures of the jewel of the French Riviera. Last but not least, just in case those pictures turn into google flights search, 12 things to see in Nice, France.

Pictures of Nice France

Nicknamed Nice la Belle meaning ‘Nice the Beautiful.’ See why Italians adore visiting this French Rivera fave year round.

Why Italians Love Nice, France

Amadeus VII of the House of Savoy acquired the port city of Nice during his reign from 1383 to 1391. The House of Savoy (aka Savoia in Italy) is a historic dynasty of Europe that acquired territory between what is now France, Italy, and Switzerland. As the story goes by the 15th century, the House of Savoy was going places and aligned with the powers that be of the time, aka the Holy Roman Empire. By the 18th century, the House of Savoia having been given ducal status (aka dukedom) became the ruling house of Italy. First over the kingdom of Sicily followed by Sardinia. Where things get a bit complicated is that over time the House of Savoy saw a series of weak rulers which lead to French occupation. In fact, during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, only Sardinia remained free of French control.

Crazy right? Let’s just say the history of what’s French and what’s Italian in the Western Alps is complex thanks to the twisty history of the House of Savoy. So while Nice might never have officially belonged to “Italy” since the formal unification of Italy as a nation didn’t begin until 1861, Nice is at heart a little bit Italian. Sort of Like a relaxed, elegant city that takes after the best side of both her parents, Italy and France.

Paolo and I have been traveling around Italy now for a decade. Yet France remained a relatively new country to me until recently. Sure there was that European road trip I took with my NYC bestie Suzanne back in 2009 when I saw Strasbourg and Colmar. That day trip from Bardonecchia, Italy to Annecy, France Paolo and I took in 2013. That time in 2014 when Paolo said “should we have lunch in France today?” before casually whisking me over the border to Briançon. Trust me being a midwest American kid I know how that one sounds!

It wasn’t until making it to Paris in June of 2014 that my mind was made up. Despite my new status and an Italian wife, I needed more France in my life. Since 2019 Paolo and I have made it to Carcassonne, Lyon, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Saint-Emilion, Pérouges, Nice, and most recently Avignon. Yet Nice remains the one place in France where I feel most at home. So much so, that I couldn’t help asking Paolo for a history lesson. This is when I first heard the story of the history between France and Italy in regards to Nice. I hope you enjoy this little trip over to France and join me again soon for another post from Italy!

Nicknamed Nice la Belle meaning ‘Nice the Beautiful.’ See why Italians adore visiting this French Rivera fave year round.

References

• The House of Savoy – Britannica
• Official Site of Nice, France